Are Public Libraries in Decline?

In The Freckle Report 2020, Tim Coates offers a sobering, data-driven view of the state of public libraries in the U.S. and the U.K. Continue reading at 'Publishers Weekly'

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-03 04:00:00 UTC ]

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NYC public libraries are suspending all programs through March, but will remain open to readers.

This morning, both the Chief Librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library and the President of the New York Public Library released statements announcing that they would be cancelling public library programs for the rest of March, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and encourage social... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-12 16:51:47 UTC ]
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Amid Public Health Crisis, MN Legislature Focuses Instead on Drag Queen Story Hour

Minnesota House Republicans threaten to slash funding to public libraries hosting Drag Queen Story Time. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-03-12 10:43:18 UTC ]
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Tennessee Becomes Second State to Propose ‘Parental Review Boards’ for Public Libraries

The bills propose to give elected parental review boards the power to decide which “age-appropriate" materials can be accessible to minors within a public library, with librarians who don’t comply with the board’s decisions subject to prison time. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S strikes partnership with Library Link

Simon & Schuster (S&S) has struck a new partnership with public libraries in the UK Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-16 17:38:06 UTC ]
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A new Missouri bill proposes jailing librarians who provide children “age-inappropriate” books.

A proposed law in Missouri would fine, and possibly jail, librarians who provide books to children that a parental board deemed inappropriate, a policy so extreme that it has attracted national attention. House Bill 2044, or “the Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act,” introduced by... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-01-16 16:35:23 UTC ]
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OverDrive Reports Record Digital Borrowing in 2019

Public Libraries around the world generated a record level of digital content circulation in 2019, providing patrons access to more than 326 million e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines, according to a report by Rakuten OverDrive, a digital distribution vendor for libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Arts Council England boss suggests library funding boost

Arts Council England (ACE) could make funding public libraries one of its priorities over the next decade, the organisation’s c.e.o. has said. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-01-03 11:55:05 UTC ]
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How Libraries Are Dealing With Bedbugs

Bedbugs in public libraries are becoming routine. Luckily, there are a few things that librarians can do to stop them...starting with preparation. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-12-17 11:32:47 UTC ]
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Participation in Summer Reading Challenge up 2.6%

The Reading Agency has reported 722,731 children took part in public libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge this summer, representing a 2.64% increase on last year’s participation. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-22 10:29:12 UTC ]
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The longlist for this year’s €100,000 International DUBLIN Literary Award is 156 books long.

The longlist for the 2020 International DUBLIN Literary Award was announced today, and it is indeed long—156 books long, to be precise. The prize is sponsored by the Dublin City Council, and the longlist is comprised of nominations from public libraries around the world. Last year’s winner,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-11 17:21:15 UTC ]
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Editorial: Why We Choose to Boycott Macmillan E-books

A librarian explains the decision to draw the line over Macmillan's decision to embargo new release e-books in public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
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City to invest $1.4M in public libraries for census outreach

An investment from the city will help public libraries perform census outreach and provide internet access throughout the city to ensure all New Yorkers are counted in the 2020 Census, the de Blasio... To view the full story, click the title link. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2019-08-01 19:48:34 UTC ]
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The ultimate summer reading list for hipsters is here

A new data viz surfaces the forgotten literature of public libraries. There’s no feeling more deflating than asking someone what they’re reading, only to have never heard of any of the three books they readily rattle off. But what if that academic smugness could be yours? What if you were the... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2019-07-15 10:20:19 UTC ]
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Citing Embargo, Libraries Plan Boycott of Blackstone Digital Audio

A coalition of some 44 public libraries across Washington state is organizing a six-month boycott of Blackstone Publishing's digital audiobooks after the publisher announced last month that it would withhold new release audio titles from libraries for 90 days. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S Changes Library E-book, Digital Audio Terms

S&S officials confirmed that as of August 1, public libraries will be able to license S&S e-books for two-year terms, on a one copy/one user model, with most “new release” e-books priced between $38.99 and $52.99. Previously, S&S e-books were sold on one-year licenses, though at a... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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New York City’s Public Libraries to End Film Streaming Through Kanopy

The libraries cited unsustainable costs in ending the service. Cinephiles took to social media with their reactions. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-06-24 23:21:19 UTC ]
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Why Susan Orlean sees a bright future for public libraries

If you want to get Susan Orlean riled up, just ask her about the economist who suggested the government could eliminate public libraries and "save taxpayers lots of money" now that we have Amazon for books and Starbucks as a gathering place. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-06-20 10:00:09 UTC ]
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Why Susan Orlean sees a bright future for public libraries

If you want to get Susan Orlean riled up, just ask her about the economist who suggested the government could eliminate public libraries and “save taxpayers lots of money” now that we have Amazon for books and Starbucks as a gathering place. This modest proposal was published on Forbes.com... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-06-20 10:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries 'central' to nation’s culture strategy, campaigners make case to ACE

The Library Campaign (TLC) is appealing to Arts Council England (ACE) for funding and support in recognition that public libraries are “the bedrock of the nation’s entire culture strategy”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Article saying libraries should be replaced by Amazon meets with resounding opposition

Public libraries should be replaced by Amazon stories, argued Panos Mourdoukoutas in an article published on Forbes’ website Saturday. "At the core, Amazon has provided something better than a local library without the tax fees," wrote Mourdoukoutas, an economics professor at Long Island... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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